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Race: Venice St. Patty’s Day 8k Date: March 12, 2016 Sponsored by the YMCA of Venice. I have never before run an 8K and that was part of what made this race attractive. I would have a Personal Best and all I had to do was finish the race. Venice is a cute little city. Sarasota where I live in the winter sits between Venice and Bradenton. All three cities are on the Pacific Ocean. Venice has a young vibe and the saying around here is Venice is where you live. Sarasota is where your parent live. Bradenton is where their parents live. It is situated on the Pacific Ocean and its beach is big and beautiful. One attraction is a huge fishing pier. And on Friday when we went to pick up my racing kit we saw a young woman net a very large fish. Actually the seeing the fish wiggling made me feel sad. The beach is noted for its “sharks teeth”. You use a sand shifter and you can find them – triangular and large, fossilized shark’s teeth. Apparently it is the best place in the world to find them. The Pier At the entrance to the […]

Run along the Dykes in Maple Ridge/Pitt Meadows with panoramic views of the countryside, marshes, rivers and mountains. (Greater Vancouver) One of my favourite places to run near my home in Mission, BC, Canada is the dyke system in nearby Maple Ridge/Pitt Meadows Difficulty: Easy Terrain: well-groomed gravel/dirt trail Length: as long as you want! Flow: interrupted by a few easy to cross roads Scenery: open farmland along rivers with mountain backdrop Safety Issues: off leash dogs Bathrooms: port-o-pottys in parking lots Drinking water: No Transit Access: No Parking: free parking lots and street parking available Night Access: open but not lit Special Features: Chicken Feed Dispenser at Neaves Road (bring quarters!) Nearby Attractions: Golden Ears Cheesecrafters, Grant Narrows Regional Park An easy 45-minute drive east of downtown Vancouver will find you in the semi-rural, picturesque suburbs of Maple Ridge/Pitt Meadows. Nestled between the Alouette River, Pitt River and the Fraser River, Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows are set on a giant floodplain that are protected by a vast system of dykes. Equal in its beauty to Vancouver’s running routes along the seawall, and definitely off the beaten path, the dyke system is an outstanding network of multi-use walking and […]

Where to Train in Sarasota, Florida Running Circles on the Track at Payne Park, Sarasota Florida Difficulty: Easy Terrain: Well-groomed clay circle track Length: As long as you want (in circles!) Flow: Perfect! Scenery: Palm trees, grass and flowers Safety Issues: Perfectly safe Bathrooms: Never used one but probably some at Payne Park skateboard park Drinking Water: Same as above Transit Access: Sarasota buses stop nearby Parking: Free parking lots in park Night Access: Open at night but track is not lit Nearby Attractions: Downtown Sarasota: Fit to Run (running store), don’t miss C’est La Vie, my favorite French bakery and cafe I live in Sarasota Florida for part of the year and occasionally I want to run on a track. Unlike Canada where high school tracks are accessible I found that the gates were padlocked … no way for me to run on the tracks when school was not in sessions. However there is a pretty good alternative for you if you are a runner living in or visiting Sarasota and want use of a track. Payne Park, just south of downtown Florida and a decent run or walk from my condo. Payne Park has a LOT more attractions beside the half […]

Where and when to run in a tropical beach town… Difficulty: Easy –> Intermediate Terrain: Dirt and gravel with loose rocks Length: 6km out and back Flow: Interrupted by a small creek Scenery: Quiet little neighbourhood along the Baru River Safety Issues: The odd car, uneven road surface and loose rocks Bathrooms: Available at nearby restaurants at start of trail Drinking water: No Transit Access: n/a Parking: Free street parking available Night Access: Open but not lit Special Features: Cool breezes and tropical wildlife. Ice cold natural coconut water available nearby! Nearby Attractions: Cafe Mono Congo, Dominical Beach Dominical, is a funky little beach town on the southwest Pacific coast of Costa Rica. We are blessed to spend our winters here for the last 10 years. We love the tropical heat but it does make running challenging. I have found a good little route along the dirt and gravel road, locally known as Dominical River Road, and a running routine that has made it possible for me to maintain and even work on my running fitness while I am here. The route is along the Baru River. It starts from the hip little café Mono Congo (where you can get […]

Get a Hotel Near Your Running Route I have learned that it is really wonderful to get a hotel near my planned running routes, walking distance is best, but easy transit access is also good. Looking back on various trips, I have found that having easy access to my running routes has been one of the key factors in enjoying my hotel and the place I am visiting. Here are my reasons: If I want to go for a run in the early morning, when other non-runners in my group are sleeping, I can. If our group returns to the hotel for a rest, I always have the option to go for a run. We don’t’ have to plan the day around me getting to my running route. I don’t have to work hard to find where I am going so I just get to go out and enjoy my run. I can usually get a cup coffee or a drink in the hotel before I go. If I get sweaty or dirty, it is easy to come home and take a shower. If I want to go in the morning I don’t have to get up as early if […]

A quintessential run in the heart of Madrid. Difficulty: Easy Terrain: Pavement and well-groomed packed dirt trails Length: About 4 km loop (around perimeter) Flow: Excellent Scenery: Landscaped park with rose gardens, sculptures, monuments, and a small lake, surrounded by historic Madrid. Safety Issues: None Bathrooms: Yes Drinking water: Water fountains Transit Access: Yes – Metro: Retiro (L2), Príncipe de Vergara (L2, L9), Ibiza (L9), Atocha (L1) Parking: No Night Access: Closed at night (10pm-6am winter, 12am-6am summer) Special Features: Being part of the local Madrid run scene! Nearby Attractions: The Prado Museum, Flamenco! I love Spain, and I love Madrid. On the trip that I found El Retiro Park, it was summer, and Madrid in summer is wonderful: a vibrant city where busy cafes spill onto the streets and fragrant flowers brighten everything. On the edge of historic Madrid and right in the city center, a tourist destination in its own right, El Retiro Park is a quintessential part of summer in Madrid, and in the early morning and evening, when the temperatures are a little cooler, it is filled with local runners. In fact, it was right here, in this park, that I first had my epiphany about […]

The main road is great for running! Difficulty: Easy Terrain: Pavement and gravel – some uneven in parts Length: As long as you want! Flow: Pretty good, some traffic and dust may slow you down… Scenery: A road through a quaint beach town with views of the ocean… Safety Issues: A little traffic to watch out for Bathrooms: Possibly in restaurants along the way… Drinking water: Water fountains Transit Access: n/a Parking: Free street parking Night Access: Not well lit after dark (which is around 6pm!) Special Features: Views of the beach… Nearby Attractions: The beach! This morning I found myself in the lovely beach town of Mal Pais. As we drove into town last night I immediately noted that the main road that runs parallel to the beach from Mal Pais to Santa Teresa would make a great place to run. I was really happy to find, that the house we had rented was just off this main road and had easy access down to the road. This morning I woke up early, to beat the heat, and get out for a run. (For other notes on running in the tropics see my post on Dominical, […]

Dusty and windy but doable. Difficulty: Easy -> Intermediate Terrain: Dirt road Length: up to 40km out and back Flow: Can be busy with traffic – cars, motos and horse carts Scenery: Quiet little neighbourhoods Safety Issues: Can be busy with traffic – cars, motos and horse carts Bathrooms: No Drinking water: No Transit Access: n/a Parking: Free street parking available in San Juan del Sur Night Access: Not safe Special Features: Lots of wind! Nearby Attractions: San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua is vibrant beach town in southern Nicaragua. A little bigger than I expected, it somehow maintains its small town vibe, while offering a full range of restaurants and services. We stayed at a friend’s house overlooking Playa Nacascolo just outside of town, on the big hill with the famous Jesus statue. As soon as I arrived I was looking for a running route. In the end I settled on running from our house up on the hill, down to town and along a road that goes between San Juan del Sur and Rivas. Although it is named Highway 72, it is a dirt road that has several offshoots along the way that provide […]

Epic travel run! Not to be missed! Difficulty: Easy Terrain: well-groomed gravel/dirt trail Length: as long as you want! Flow: Good Scenery: manicured gardens, sculptures, forest, Vienna city views with Schönbrunn Palace backdrop Safety Issues: None Bathrooms: yes but cost money Drinking water: No Transit Access: Yes – U-4 metro ‘Schönbrunn Palace’ Parking: not sure Night Access: closes between 5:30 and 9pm depending on the time of year check here Special Features: Amazing historical palace gardens. A one of a kind of experience!! Nearby Attractions: Schönbrunn Palace One of my favourite run travel experiences ever was my run at Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna, Austria. I found it randomly while researching a trip to Vienna and reading about the palace as a tourist destination. I came across a tripadvisor review that was from someone who had run there; they had called it a bucket list run and I decided I had to do it! Just outside of the main ring area of central Vienna and located with easy access to a metro line (line U4 stop is Schönbrunn), Schönbrunn Palace is a Baroque palace with over 300 years of history dating from the mid 1500’s. It is a wonderful […]

The Cowichan Valley trail is part of the Trans Canada Trail network. With access points all over the Cowichan Valley (see map below), this trail provides numerous possible running routes of pretty much any distance. Difficulty: Easy/Intermediate – most is railway grade Terrain: Dirt and Gravel (roadway in a few places) Length: over 100 km Flow: for most sections it is possible to run without encountering any traffic lights and only a handful of rural road crossings Scenery: farmland and forest Safety Issues: watch for wildlife (bears, elk, and cougar); dogs are required to be on leash but people generally don’t mind so long as your dog is fully under control Bathrooms: several trailheads have outhouses (see map below) Drinking water: no Transit Access: sparse at best Parking: free parking at various trailheads (see map below) Night Access: 24 hr access but no lighting Special Features: there are farms with livestock along the trail in many places, please make sure your dog is leashed or fully under your control; no motorized vehicles are allowed on the trail which makes for a safer experience; if you encounter someone on horseback and need to pass, make sure they know you are coming and ask before passing – give plenty of room around the horse Nearby […]

A fun 10km race, currently the largest 10km running event in the world! Difficulty: Easy Terrain: road Length: 10km Flow: Great Scenery: midtown Atlanta Safety Issues: none Bathrooms: ample port-o-pottos Drinking water: yes Transit Access: yes Parking: not sure Night Access: n/a Special Features: Biggest 10km running event in the world! Nearby Attractions: Coca Cola Factory tour! Peachtree Road Race Course Map and Elevation Profile The Peachtree Road Race is organized by the Atlanta Track Club. It is currently in its 47th year and is clearly a fourth fo July weekend tradition in Atlanta. I happened to be in Atlanta for another event, and when I heard about the Peachtree Road Race, especially the fact that it is the largest 10km running event in the world, I was determined to run it. Lucky for me, the race is very well organized and includes a sanctioned bid selling system: you make a deal with the seller and then you pay a fee to the race to transfer the bib (and all your information) at the race expo. I found a bib in the Peachtree Road Race Facebook group, and was please to pay cost for it (plus the transfer fee). The lovely local […]

A Runner’s Treat! Difficulty: Easy Terrain: Mostly gravel with some bridges, some concrete Length: Pretty much as long as you want it to be. There are many sections. Here is an article that describes the current status https://www.thestar.com/life/2015/01/15/the-beltline-trail-keeps-growing-micallef.html Flow: Some sections have quiet roads to cross and there are some stoplights to navigate but a lot of the trail is free of interruptions Scenary: Woods, sections of the subway, views of the city, parks, a large cemetery, and more Safety Issues: There are bicycles, walkers and runners to avoid. Beyond that it is pretty clear. Bathrooms: No but there are some in nearby parks Drinking Water: Water fountains at various points Transit Access: Yes to various sections. For example the Yonge Street Davisville subway stop takes you close to the Kay Gardner beltline (you can see the trail as a bridge across Yonge Street. Parking: Street parking at various points, mainstreets are metered but side streets nearby have free parking Night Access: A limited amount of lighted sections Special Features: Numerous, Mount Pleasant Cemetary, many parks, rivers, ravines (Cedarvale Ravine on the trail is very pretty (goes from the Rosedale Subway station to St. Clair West and Eglinton West subway […]

Sporting Life 10K – Running Down Yonge Street Difficulty: East Terrain: road Length: 10km Flow: Great Scenery: Center of Toronto Safety Issues: none Bathrooms: ample port-o-pottos Drinking water: yes Transit Access: yes Parking: Lots of parking on side streets Night Access: n/a Special Features: Main North South Street of Toronto closed just for you. Route is downhill so great for a personal best Nearby Attractions: Eatons Center (retail), Toronto Entertainment District, Rogers Center (Toronto Blue Jays baseball), Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada and more! Yonge Street is Toronto’s main drag. It goes from the southern boundary of the city at Lake Ontario to cottage country around Lake Simcoe. I always thought that Yonge Street was the longest street in the world and it used to be listed as such in the Guinness Book of World Records but it turns us that this was an error. In any case the race goes down Yonge Street from quite close to Yonge and Eglinton, often called Young and Eligible around here. I will leave the reason for the nickname to your imagination. Me in lovely pink jacket running down Yonge Street near my apartment The course is lovely for several reason. A good piece of […]

A beautiful run with a pro quality running track. Difficulty: Easy Terrain: springy rubberized running track most of the way Length: 5.5km loop Flow: Great Scenery: Trees, parkland, Danube River, downtown Budapest in the background Safety Issues: None Bathrooms: Not sure Drinking water: Some water fountains Transit Access: Yes trams 4 and 6. Parking: Not sure Night Access: Yes (not sure about lighting) Special Features: The Island boasts a variety of features including two musical fountains, ruins and a thermal bath. Nearby Attractions: Walking distance to a very interesting McDonalds in a building built in 1877 by the Eiffel Company who built the Eiffel Tower!! Budapest is a wonderful tourist city, and it is also a great city for running. We had many options of where to run, but I have to say my favourite was Margaret Island (which luckily was near to where we were staying). It was easy to see why this lovely park is a favorite for Budapest runners. Located in the middle of the Danube River, basically adjacent to downtown Budapest and the center of the tourist district is Margaret Island. It is easily accessible on foot via the picturesque Margit Bridge or via frequents trams (#4 […]

An 18km running and wine tasting event – unique and not to be missed! Difficulty: Easy Terrain: wide variety: road, gravel path, sandy dirt in vineyards, some uneven and sloped ground Length: 18km Flow: a few roads to cross with the help of volunteers Scenery: wine country, vineyards, wineries Safety Issues: poison ivy if you go off the trail near the river (like to pee!) Bathrooms: port-o-pottys at various wineries Drinking water: yes at every winery stop Transit Access: shuttles provided from Oliver and Osoyoos Parking: n/a Night Access: n/a Special Features: A unique wine tasting walk and or run Nearby Attractions: wineries! I was really excited to win a pair of tickets in the Half Corked lottery this year. I was very happy I had the opportunity to buy two tickets so I could invite a friend and have someone to share this special weekend with. My friend Kazia agreed to join me for a super special girls weekend! I was so excited! The event is an 18km route that stopped at 15 wineries between Osoyoos and Oliver, BC. These towns are about a 4 hours drive east of Vancouver in the southern Okanagan valley close to the […]

Like Running in a Postcard: A Backdrop of Iconic Buildings and Monuments! Difficulty: Easy Terrain: Roads and cement pathways Length: As long as you want Flow: Traffic lights slow down the flow in some places Scenery: Paris inner city: Eiffel Tower, Louvre Museum, Notre Dam Cathedral to name just a few! Safety Issues: Regular city awareness Bathrooms: Restaurants abound, but require a purchase to use a bathroom 😉 Drinking water: At stores along the way Transit Access: Yes Parking: Yes but who wants to drive in downtown Paris?! Night Access: Yes Special Features: Like running in a postcard! So much iconic scenery! Nearby Attractions: PARIS! I was really excited to visit Paris this year. I had been there before, but never as a runner. I had dreams of running Paris and now those dreams were going to come true! Paris is a wonderful tourist city, with something to please everyone’s tastes. For runners, it does not disappoint! I tried to research places to run before I arrived and quickly realized the whole inner city (where most tourists will stay) is a runner’s playground! The Seine River is accessible from most of the inner city and it is easy to find. […]

7 Reasons why you should never miss an opportunity to go for a run when you travel… You get to experience the world in a unique way. Lost in your run you notice things differently and gain a whole new perspective of where you are. Running in Paris I noticed the parents walking their children to school as the smell of bread and espresso wafted out of cafes in the early morning. In Costa Rica, Scarlet Macaws greeted me in the stillness of the dawn. In the meditative state of running I was an observer and I was able to take it all in and create those special indelible memories that last a life time. You feel like a local You know that special feeling when you pass another runner and you wave or nod or just smile, but there’s that acknowledgment: we are one, we are runners. When I travel that feeling is amplified, as just for a moment, I feel like I live in that place and I am just another runner; in that moment I can I am a local. You get to go to places you might not otherwise Running while travelling has led me […]

Get outside of touristy Opatija to the quiet fishing village of Volosko and on up the road to Lovran Difficulty: Easy Terrain: concrete path Length: 12km from end to end (Volosko to Lovran) Flow: Mostly good flow, but some spots you had to go around something and there was a little construction at the time we went Scenery: Ocean views and views of the towns and the surrounding hills. Safety Issues: None Bathrooms: Not sure Drinking water: No Transit Access: n/a Parking: Yes along the route. Night Access: Yes (not sure about lighting or safety) Special Features: Get out of busy Opatije to the scenic fishing village of Volosko Nearby Attractions: Maiden with the Seagull statue and Some sites along the promenade We had been in Croatia for a while by the time we got to Opatija and honestly I wasn’t very impressed. Busy and touristy, it’s just not my kind of town. However, I was travelling with my parents and they needed to be there for work so I was stuck and had to make the best of it. It wasn’t horrible or anything… I was just so spoiled from the amazing beauty and tranquility of I had experienced in the rest […]

Difficulty: Easy Terrain: Pavement, dedicated pedestrian route Length: up to 20 km round trip Flow: There are some roads to cross until you get to Myrtle Edwards Park, all controlled by traffic lights. Crowds gather in front of the cruise ship terminal, and navigating that short portion (1 city block) can be tricky. During tourist season, pedestrian traffic may be heavy around other attractions along the route. It’s probably better to run earlier in the morning if possible, but once you get to the park it’s smooth going. Scenery: Starts out very urban with an overhead highway and active train tracks. Passes many tourist destinations. Ocean views the whole way, the park portion has gorgeous unobstructed views. Safety Issues: Be mindful of traffic, careful crossing streets if you are too impatient to wait for the traffic lights. Bathrooms: If necessary you could probably pop into any one of a number of tourist stops along the way, but I didn’t check. There may be restrooms in the park but I didn’t see any. Drinking water: There is a drinking fountain along the trail in Myrtle Edwards park. Transit Access: Yes, although walking or cycling is always faster in the city! Parking: There is some pay parking in the area. As in most big cities, […]

An Epic Travel Run with Stunning Views of the Lake and Historic Monuments Difficulty: Easy Terrain: Paved trails Length: 13km loop Flow: Great Scenery: Stunning views of Hangzhou Lake and surrounding gardens and monuments Safety Issues: None Bathrooms: Yes (free!) Drinking water: There was bottle water for sale at street stands for a reasonable price. Transit Access: Yes Parking: Not sure Night Access: Yes Special Features: An amazing beautiful run in a historic but tranquil setting – a wonderful tourist attraction in its own rite. Nearby Attractions: National Tea Museum When I was planning a trip to China I never imagined I would have a run that would make my best runs ever list. I imagined crowded streets and lots of pollution. I was happily surprised to find out how wrong I was! I will be posting all of my China runs in the next few weeks, but I had to start with my favourite: the beautiful trail around Westlake in Hangzhou. As soon as I got to Hangzhou and saw the paths around the lake all I could think about was running it! I knew I would get my chance the next morning but my anticipation was palatable! […]

A circuit around an ancient city wall in the city near the Terracotta Warriors Difficulty: Easy Terrain: Paved paths and side walk Length: 16km loop Flow: Regular interruptions to cross city streets Scenery: Ancient city wall, moat and gates, city parks with city views Safety Issues: Crossing the streets! Bathrooms: Yes (free!) Drinking water: There was bottle water for sale at street stands for a reasonable price. Transit Access: Yes Parking: No Night Access: Yes Special Features: Following an ancient city wall and watching locals exercise in the city parks that line it! Nearby Attractions: Don’t miss out on the local noodle dish Biang Biang. Also the South Gate has amazing ceremonies at different times throughout the day, look locally for a current schedule. Xi’an is a popular stop on most tours of China, since it is the city near the very famous exhibit of the Terracotta Army. Like many tourists to China, we were excited about visiting the Terracotta Army but hadn’t given a lot of thought to the city of Xi’an itself. Finding a fun and historic run was a bonus of our visit to this remarkable city! We arrived by train, and the immense city wall was […]

Run along the river with spectacular views of the Pudong skyline and some of the world’s tallest buildings Difficulty: Easy Terrain: Paved paths and side walk Length: 3km each way (but possibility to extend into the city streets beyond) Flow: A few streets to cross Scenery: The stunning skyline of the Pudong district, which includes some of the worlds tallest buildings! Safety Issues: None Bathrooms: No Drinking water: There was bottle water for sale at street stands for a reasonable price. Transit Access: Yes Parking: No Night Access: Yes Special Features: Nearby Attractions: Check out the recently opened observation deck at the Shanghai Tower in Pudong, it is currently the second tallest building in the world and the boasts the highest observation deck in the world! Shanghai was our landing city in China. We were instantly taken in by it. Recovering from jetlag, I knew I needed to run, but nothing too challenging, just something to stretch my legs. (As an aside I find short runs of 5-10km help me get over jetlag and reset my biorhythms more quickly.) So, as we strolled around on our first day I was searching for possible running routes, and it […]

The Army Ten Miler is truly a one-of-a-kind experience. It’s a huge race (35,000 strong in 2016) hosted by the Association of the United States Army. How many races feature an artillery blast to signal the start of the race, with a military helicopter hovering overhead? The quick answer is not many. In addition to its start/finish line being located beside the iconic Pentagon, the run features picturesque views of the Potomac River, and the National Mall. It’s easy to get lost in your run as you pass the Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Memorial, and the Tidal Basin. Far from table-top flat, the course has some minor hills along the way, and a long uphill section toward the its end. The race’s organizers have gotten better and better over the event’s 32-year existence. The first year I ran the race (I think it was 2009), there were no organized corrals (at least not that I noticed). You can imagine the chaos of a mass start of more than 20,000 people…. The Good The start: I’m happy to say the experience at the starting line is much better these days. Several corrals, based on expected times, launch with gaps of several minutes, […]

I had no idea that this park existed in the middle of urban Hollywood! Difficulty: Hard (steep!) Terrain: Pavement and dirt paths – some uneven in parts Length: 5km loop Flow: Excellent Scenery: A small canyon park with excellent city views from the heights Safety Issues: Off leash dogs – but all I saw were very well behaved Bathrooms: No Drinking water: Water fountains Transit Access: n/a Parking: Free street parking Night Access: No Special Features: Views of the iconic Hollywood sign Nearby Attractions: Hollywood Boulevard As usual, on my arrival in a new location, I had looked on a map to try to figure out some good running spots. I was immediately drawn to two parks on the north side of Hollywood. Runyon Canyon Park and Griffith Park. Griffith Park is home to the famous Hollywood sign and also house Griffith Observatory. It’s the larger of the two but also has a lot more elevation gain. I looked at Runyon Canyon Park and realized that it was closer to where I was staying, had great views of the Hollywood Sign and while it had some good elevation gain it seemed more doable. I haven’t been running any major elevation and with a […]

Join the hundreds of locals who exercise in this lovely city park every morning. Difficulty: Easy Terrain: Pavement Length: 2.5km loop (approx.) Flow: Excellent Scenery: A landscape city park with gardens and city views Safety Issues: None Bathrooms: No Drinking water: No Transit Access: Yes Parking: Yes but seemed very full/crazy! Night Access: until 9pm Special Features: Locals doing tai chi and exercising every morning! Nearby Attractions: I arrived in Bangkok jetlagged and with aching legs after an extra long day flying (made extra extra long due to a 4 hour delay on the place at the gate before departing!) I couldn’t wait to get in a little run. The first day I was too out of it to do much but drag myself around sampling delicious Thai food. By day 2 I knew I needed to get in at least a little run to shake out my legs. From what I had seen of Bangkok I could tell it wasn’t going to be an easy place to run. The streets are busy, the sidewalks are often broken and the curbs are steep. Not to mention the pop up vendors and food stands that crowd most paths. These are some […]

Not that exciting – but its always fun to run a race in new place. Difficulty: Easy Terrain: road Length: 21.1km Flow: Not good. Narrow course, no corrals, traffic stops! Scenery: A little old city wall then nothing much! City. Safety Issues: none Bathrooms: port-o-pottys near start Drinking water: yes Transit Access: n/a Parking: yes Night Access: n/a Special Features: International Race – 2016 had 55 countries represented Nearby Attractions: Various amazing Wats of Chiang Mai. Chiang Mai Marathon I was really excited when I found out my trip to Thailand would allow me to run a race in Chiang Mai. I always research races around my travel plans. I saw that the Chiang Mai race included full marathon, half marathon, 10k and 3k distances. I knew I wasn’t running a marathon in the middle of a month long tour of Thailand and Vietnam with my kids, so I opted for the half marathon. Signing Up The sign up was easy. There was a simple online form and then I paid through paypal 955THB which worked out to just less than $29 USD at the time I paid. They sent me a confirmation written in Thai and English that indicated […]

A tranquil run in a lovely clean park past several famous Wats and ruins. Difficulty: Easy Terrain: Pavement Length: 2.5km loop (approx.) Flow: Excellent Scenery: An open park with views of ruins and giant Buddha statues – very impressive Safety Issues: None Bathrooms: Yes Drinking water: No Transit Access: n/a Parking: Yes Night Access: until 9pm (may be earlier at some times of year) – when we were there it was beautifully lit up at night Special Features: Giant Buddha statues and amazing ruins of the old city of Sukhothai Nearby Attractions: You are in it. There is not much else nearby. I loved Sukhothai from the moment I arrived. It has a tranquil calmness about it that just drew me in. It is very clean, and the guesthouses all have lovely landscaping. It is quite out of the way (off the beaten path as they say) and not overrun with tourists even though there is little else to keep this little hamlet going. During the time we were visiting there was no entry charge for the historic park. So I didn’t have to stop to pay. This was due to special mourning for the King who died in […]

A decent city to run in with many parks and historical sites. Difficulty: Easy Terrain: Pavement and dirt paths. Sometimes paving stones, and some of these were partly broken, so pay attention! Length: Lots of small loops of 2km in parks that can be connected for longer runs. Flow: Excellent within each park, but if going between you have to negotiate busy traffic and large intersections. Scenery: City parks and the famous historic ruins of Ayuthaya. Safety Issues: Traffic when crossing streets! Bathrooms: No Drinking water: No Transit Access: n/a Parking: n/a Night Access: Not recommended – there is very little street light and it is very very dark! Special Features: Historic Ruins of Ayuthaya Nearby Attractions: The one thing we found in Ayuthaya was an amazing street food market – it’s the biggest we have ever seen and is not to be missed! Every night at Bang Lan Market. Ayuthaya is a popular day trip from Bangkok but we decided to go and spend the night. While Ayuthaya was not my favourite city on our trip to Thailand, the discovery of an amazing street food market every evening made spending the night well worth it! In addition we were […]

One of my favourite places to run near my home Corona Del Mar, CA is along the iconic Pacific Coast Highway and along the ocean. Difficulty: Moderate Terrain: paved Length: 6.25 miles Flow: interrupted by a few easy to cross roads Scenery: ocean, bayviews and more ocean Safety Issues: beware of vehicles when crossing streets Bathrooms: n/a Drinking water: a few water fountains along the route Parking: free parking lots and street parking available Night Access: best to go before sunset Nearby Attractions: Little Corona and Big Corona State Beach Share this:Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Google+ (Opens in new window) Related

Once it starts to warm up, running the loop around the Spokane downtown riverfront. When I was in school at WSU Riverfront campus, I would start the run on the Centennial trail behind the parking area and adjacent condos and go west towards the Riverfront park. On long run days, I would run the loop a couple times and change it up by taking different paths in the park. If you need to add some more mileage (as well as a pretty view), I suggest going into the Gonzaga campus when you are running back east. Later in the evening, there can be some shady characters in the area, so I suggest running during light hours. 🙂 Share this:Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Google+ (Opens in new window) Related

20 years strong and located in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. A flat course with great support. This scenic run occurs in March of each year on a Saturday. Information from the website…. mbmarathon.com Half Marathon Date Saturday, March 3, 2018 for the Half Marathon Start time – 6:30am Start & Finish Locations The Half Marathon will start just south of the intersection of Grissom Pkwy & 21st Ave. N, Myrtle Beach, SC. The Finish Line will be in the parking lot of TicketReturn.com Field at Pelicans Ballpark. Course Information Click here to view the half marathon course map. The half marathon course is USATF certified (SC10009BS). The half marathon course will close at 10:30am (4-hour time limit). Mile markers will be posted at each mile. A digital clock at the finish line will display unofficial finishing time. Bicycles, baby strollers, skates, in-line skates, and skate boards are not allowed on the course. Pacing times are as follows 1:30 1:45 2:00 2:15 2:30 Course Aid Stations Water and Amino VITAL sports drink will be available approximately every two miles along the course and at the finish. Click here to view the course map to see all medical and hydration […]

One of my favorite routes is the 2 mile loop (3 if you do the upper and lower route) around lochness park. The route circles a lake and is not crowded. It is a favorite for folks with dogs and on a nice day you’ll often find a few dogs romping in the water. At dawn or dusk deer are a common sight and turn an ordinary run into something special. The exterior of the trail is a disc golf course, which can provide a bit of entertainment and make the run go by much faster. The upper loop is an unpaved path, but provides spectacular views and solitude. if you’re in the area, check it out! Share this:Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Google+ (Opens in new window) Related

Difficulty: Easy Terrain: Pavement Length: 22 KM Flow: Some roads to cross along the way and lots of walkers Scenery: Ocean, Mountains, and beautiful city of Vancouver Safety Issues: A lot of bikes to navigate past Bathrooms: Some bathrooms along the way Drinking water: Some vendors to buy water Transit Access: Yes lots of transit access Parking: Parking all along the route Night Access: Open at night but not lit well Special Features: N/A Nearby Attractions: Science World and the Vancouver Aquarium Share this:Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Google+ (Opens in new window) Related

Taking advantage of the elusive spring sunshine in Seattle. Difficulty: Easy Terrain: Pavement Length: 3.75 miles Flow: Lots of walkers some bikes Scenery: Sound, Mountains, and beautiful city of Seattle Safety Issues: A lot of bikes to navigate past Bathrooms: One bathrooms along the way across from Fish on Bait/Tackle Shop Drinking water: Water fountain and bate and tackle cafe Transit Access: Yes transit access. Helix pedestrian bridge connecting to Elliott Ave Parking: Parking at north end of trail Night Access: Park closes at 11pm Special Features: Connects to Olympic Sculpture Park Nearby Attractions: Olympic Sculpture Park, Seattle Aquarium, and Seattle Great Wheel Share this:Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Google+ (Opens in new window) Related

Difficulty: Intermediate Terrain: Pavement Length: 14k Flow: roads will shut down for this run, so no need to worry about crossing or stopping Scenery: Coastal/beach views, as well as city Bathrooms: porta potties are located throughout the race Drinking water: water and gatorade stations throughout the race Transit Access: Yes, can take the train or bus into the starting point in Central Sydney Parking: Parking may be difficult in the city, especially during the event. If lucky, you can find meter or lot parking Special Features: Live music, cheerleaders, DJ’s, meditators, etc. along the route for entertainment Nearby Attractions: Rose Bay (Harbour) http://www.sydney.com/destinations/sydney/sydney-east/double-bay/rose-bay, Bondi Beach http://www.australia.com/en/places/nsw/nsw-bondi-beach.html I would highly recommend the City2Surf race! It is fitting for runners of all ages and levels. It is a wonderful way to get to see many areas of Sydney and then make it to the beach! As it is the largest annual race in Australia (with around 80,000 people), there is plenty of entertainment along the way that is super motivating for the run. Also, there are many safety precautions along the way with multiple drinking stations, first aid stations, etc. to ensure the best for everyone. The Expo occurs a few days earlier than the race, and there are plenty of samples, vendors, and merchandise […]

Just an east coast girl who loves to get out and travel… and run when I’m on the road. On a recent trip to Eastern Europe, I stumbled upon a half marathon in Tblisi! Check out the route and the race photos! Super difficult to get to this area, but worth it. I am pretty sure it’s a good thing we had a rental car driving on all those unpaved roads and through farms! Always an adventure over there… Share this:Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Google+ (Opens in new window) Related